History of the plain leather day sporran?

[Cavebear58]

12345

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Trouser pockets, as we know them to be, were virtually unknown before the 18th century and were not common until the 19th century. Men generally wore leather purses hung from their waist. With the introduction of the kilt in Scotland in the 16th century the wearing of the purse (or sporran in Gaelic) continued, with the design evolving over the years. Generally speaking 17th century (and earlier) sporrans are very similar to the purses worn in other parts of Europe, leading one to the conclusion that form and function were universally united in this handy carry all.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Rathdown is very correct. The sporran is, if nothing else, a pouch. People have been wearing pouches since time immemorial as a way of keeping their important possessions close at hand. One can perhaps research certain styles of sporrans and be able to say "this style first made an appearance in the eighteenth century," or some such. But as to the sporran itself, it's been around for much longer than the kilt.

In the twelfth century, the French Benedictine historian and chronicler, Guibert of Nogent, was describing in a text a vision he had of devils dancing about, and he described them as wearing their pouches "in the manner of the Scots, hanging forward from their haunches, as they are wont..."

I found this particular reference fascinating when I came across it because it predates the kilt by more than 400 years. But apparantly even then the Scottish people had the habit of wearing their purses hanging forward off their hips, as the sporran is typically worn with the kilt. Moreover, they were well enough known for this style that a Benedictine monk writing in France could make reference to wearing a pouch "in the manner of the Scots" and expect his readers to know what he meant.

[McClef]

I have also seen illustrations of sporrans being worn with trews (even some in the movie of of Brigadoon! ) which indicates it was not just an item to accompany a kilt.

[andyfg]

In the twelfth century, the French Benedictine historian and chronicler, Guibert of Nogent, was describing in a text a vision he had of devils dancing about, and he described them as wearing their pouches "in the manner of the Scots, hanging forward from their haunches, as they are wont..."

Another historical gem Matt!

[Cavebear58]

12345

[Ancienne Alliance]

a Benedictine monk writing in France could make reference to wearing a pouch "in the manner of the Scots" and expect his readers to know what he meant.

Bien sûr ! (naturally !)


Best,

Robert

[macwilkin]

Rathdown is very correct. The sporran is, if nothing else, a pouch. People have been wearing pouches since time immemorial as a way of keeping their important possessions close at hand. One can perhaps research certain styles of sporrans and be able to say "this style first made an appearance in the eighteenth century," or some such. But as to the sporran itself, it's been around for much longer than the kilt.

In the twelfth century, the French Benedictine historian and chronicler, Guibert of Nogent, was describing in a text a vision he had of devils dancing about, and he described them as wearing their pouches "in the manner of the Scots, hanging forward from their haunches, as they are wont..."

I found this particular reference fascinating when I came across it because it predates the kilt by more than 400 years. But apparantly even then the Scottish people had the habit of wearing their purses hanging forward off their hips, as the sporran is typically worn with the kilt. Moreover, they were well enough known for this style that a Benedictine monk writing in France could make reference to wearing a pouch "in the manner of the Scots" and expect his readers to know what he meant.

I have also seen illustrations of sporrans being worn with trews (even some in the movie of of Brigadoon! ) which indicates it was not just an item to accompany a kilt.

The most famous example being from David Allan's A Highland Wedding at Blair Atholl, circa 1780:

http://www.marariley.net/celtic/images/trews.jpg

Regards,

Todd

[kennethrmc]

Thanks to all of you--for asking and providing fascinating answers. I've learned a lot in a hurry from this thread. Not that I'm about to start wearing a sporran with my jeans...

[Galician]

This might actually tie in with another thread here. The "trews" being worn by the young gallant in that painting seem to be more what we call "tights" than trousers. Though he is clearly wearing flashes, the garment seems to be of one piece with his hose.

If this were the case, might not the sporran be the Scottish equivalent of the codpiece? That would account for the specifically Scottish style of wearing it.